Musical Events Bring Alumni Back Together

Oklahoma Baptist University alumni and friends will celebrate this year's "Memories that Endure" Homecoming celebration through music, during the university's annual Musical Gala and Alumni Showcase.

The Friday gala event will be at 8:30 p.m. in Potter Auditorium of Raley Chapel and will feature ensembles from the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts.

The Homecoming finale on Saturday night, the Alumni Showcase and Harvest Festival, will feature performances by talented alumni from reunioning classes, playing piano and handbells and singing. The showcase concludes with the 2001 Harvest Festival, which features the presentation of the traditional Harvest Court, and the crowning of this year's Harvest King and Queen.

The gala is a benefit concert for the College of Fine Arts student scholarship fund. Tickets are available and may be purchased at the door. Admission is $3 for adults and $1.50 for students.

All student ensembles will perform for the event.

The Bison Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Kevin Pruiett, assistant professor of music, will open the concert with "Raincheck," by Billy Strayhorn, with student solos by Stephen King, Aaron Robertson and Jamin Garoutte, and "Big Dipper," by Thad Jones, with student solos by Stephen King, Don Helm and Jamin Garoutte.

The University Chorale, directed by Dr. James Vernon, associate professor of music, will sing "Gloria (Masque of Angels)," by Dominick Argento, "Open Thou Mine Eyes," by Michael Cox, a 1970 OBU alum, and "My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord," arranged by Moses Hogan. OBU student Anna Kurtz will accompany on piano.

The Bison Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. John Simons, associate professor of church music, will sing "Praise the Lord," arranged by Cox, with student pianist Stephen King, "In His Care-o," by William Dawson, and "Loch Lomond," arranged by Michael Hanawalt.

The University Ringers, directed by Dr. Ron Davis, associate professor of organ, will play "Canticle for a Festive Day," by Kevin McChesney, and "Overture from The Barber of Seville," by Rossini and arranged by M.L. Thompson.

The Bisonette Glee Club, under the direction of Jack Pearson, associate professor of music, will perform "Oh, Dear! What Can The Matter Be?" arranged by John Carter, "Ticket to the Kingdom," by Donald Moore, "Didn't It Rain," arranged by Michael Neaum, and "The Lord is My Light" by Cox.

OBU's Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Jim Hansford, professor of music, will perform "Fiddler on the Roof" by Harnick and Bock and arranged by Warren Barker.

The ensembles will combine for the evening's final selection, an arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic," by Luigi Zaninelli.

Saturday's Alumni Showcase will be at 8 p.m. in Potter Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

The first half of the showcase will feature performances by 1967 OBU graduates Dale and Linda Higginbotham, and 1997 graduates Christy Simmons and Katye Hoaldridge Campbell. Also performing are Richard and Pamela Van Stevenson, 1993 and 1992 graduates, and P. Jerome Robinson, a 1987 graduate.

The final portion of the show will feature the presentation of the 2002 Harvest Court and crowning of the Homecoming Harvest King and Queen.

Martin L. O'Gwynn, OBU associate vice president for University Relations and executive director of the OBU Alumni Association, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.